MASSIVE CHEQUE FOR CECH

Hot on the heels of the story we ran earlier this week on Footy Boots about Obafemi Martins allegedly switching from Nike to Adidas in a deal worth £1.7 per year, there’s news today that the Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has signed a multi million pound contract of his own with the German brand.

Cech, who kept a clean sheet against Liverpool in midweek in the Champions League semi final 1st leg, has put pen to paper on a deal worth £17.5 million over the next 5 years.

Cech will play wearing Predator Powerswerve Absolute boots and also Response Pro gloves specially embroided with his name. Adidas have also developed a protective padded helmet. Cech has been wearing a Canterbury made helmet since his horrific collision with Reading’s Stephen Hunt back in 2006 which left him requiring emergency surgery.

How that will affect Puma remains to be seen. They were always unhappy when Cech wore the Canterbury head gear when playing for the Czech national side which they sponsor. An Adidas version probably won’t improve their mood.

In addition to the Adidas deal, Cech has signed a one year extension to his existing deal with Samsung. As well as appearing in a campaign in his home country, he will also feature in an additional European TV and print advert, with three other Chelsea players for the Samsung 650 LCD TV. The commercial was filmed in March.

Earlier this month, it looked like Cech’s season was over when he received another bad injury during training. Defender Tal Ben-Haim accidentally caught him in the face and the resulting wound required 50 stitches. But the 25 year old made a dramatic recovery and was back in-between the sticks just a week later.

At Anfield on Tuesday, he produced 2 top quality saves to deny Fernando Torres, the second coming late in the game, moments before Chelsea scored their dramatic equalizer.

This weekend, it’s another big game for Cech and his team mates as they face Premier League leaders Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in a match that will go a long way in deciding the fate of the title.